Keep the Blues Alive

As she recounts in “Daughter to the Blues,” Teeny Tucker learned a thing or two about music from her father, singer/songwriter Tommy Tucker (of “"Hi-Heel Sneakers" fame). But Keep the Blues Alive makes clear that Teeny has more going for her than her heritage. She sings with a gutsy authority and writes expressive, socially aware lyrics firmly rooted in blues traditions. On upbeat numbers like “Old Man Magnet” and “I Live Alone,” Teeny unleashes some of the most ear-grabbing growls this side of Etta James. She’s equally comfortable with the lively shuffle feel of “Heartbreak” and the gospel fervor of “Keep the Blues Alive.” She digs into “Make Room For Teeny” (written for her by Pam and Lee Durley) with room-shaking relish. While electrified urban blues dominates the album, intimate acoustic tunes like “John Cephas” (a heartfelt tribute to a departed blues legend) and “Respect Me and the Blues” (a quietly resolute statement of purpose) rank among the best tracks here. By paying homage to her roots, Teeny Tucker stakes her own claim as a singer of grit, fire and soul.